South Africa's ex-top cop found guilty of corruption

Selebi is just one of many prominent ANC members tainted by
corruption. In a brief statement Friday, the party said the Selebi
case "clearly indicates that South Africa as a country is governed
by laws that are applied without any fear or favor to anyone,
regardless of their standing."

The main opposition Democratic Alliance said it was "time for
the many other senior ANC politicians, not least President Jacob
Zuma, who still have unanswered questions about corruption hanging
over their heads, to also have their day in court."

Last April, weeks before Zuma led the party to victory in
national elections, top prosecutors dropped corruption charges
against Zuma, saying the case had been tainted by political
meddling.

South Africa comes in 55th out of 180 on Transparency
International's Corruption Perceptions Index, based on surveys of
businesses and experts. That means South Africa is seen as less
corrupt as places like Greece, Thailand and Zimbabwe, but worse
than Botswana, at 37th the highest-ranking African country.

While convicted of corruption, Selebi was found not guilty on
the second charge he faced, defeating the ends of justice.

The star witness in the trial, which began last October, was
convicted drug smuggler Glenn Agliotti. Agliotti himself faces
trial later this year, accused in the 2005 murder of mining magnate
and ANC financier Brett Kebble. Agliotti has pleaded not guilty to
the charge, claiming the death was an assisted suicide.

Prosecutors have said that in return for more than 1 million
rand ($130,000 U.S.) in cash and gifts over the years, Selebi did
favors for Agliotti, including letting him see documents British
police sent to their South African counterparts linking Agliotti to
drug smuggling.

Prosecutors said Agliotti took Selebi shopping at upscale stores
in Johannesburg and London, paying for suits, shirts, ties and
shoes. Agliotti also bought items for Selebi's sons, wife and
girlfriend, prosecutors alleged.